America's Oldest Seaside Resort

In 2016, Congress Hall celebrated its Bicentennial, marking two hundred years as America's First Seaside Resort. Located in the heart of Victorian Cape May, it's the perfect place to spend your New Jersey beach vacation.

Congress Hall was recently voted "Best Hotel in New Jersey" by Travel + Leisure and its readers.

Now in its third century, Congress Hall features the simple pleasures of the past with the modern luxuries we enjoy today. Whatever the season, you will be delighted by the array of choices that make it easy to fill your days and nights. Relax in a private beach tent, lounge by the pool, or sit on a rocking chair overlooking the Grand Lawn. Stay active with our exercise classes on the beach or go for an invigorating bike ride as you catch a glimpse of Cape May’s quaint Victorian architecture. Tour our very own 62-acre Beach Plum Farm, located just two miles away and full of fresh produce, live chickens and piglets.

Congress Hall offers 108 guestrooms including our newly renovated Junior Suites, each one individually named for the U.S. presidents or dignitaries who spent their summers here. The fresh blue and gray tones evoke the tranquility of a classic holiday by the seashore. From the floor to the ceiling, whimsical accents and splashes of color reflect a perfect day at the beach.

Once known as "The Summer White House," Congress Hall has been a welcome retreat to many throughout the centuries. We look forward to welcoming you in Cape May soon.

Introducing Congress Place Suites

Since 2012, Congress Hall has been honored by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top US hotels in the Northeast, and most recently awarded the #13 spot on Condé Nast Traveler's 2018 Reader’s Choice Awards Top 20 Hotels in the Mid-Atlantic and New York. Congress Hall has also been awarded with Tripadvisor's 2017 Certificate of Excellence.

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Congress Place Suites

A resort as grand as its heritage

For almost two centuries this New Jersey hotel has offered hospitality to locals and visitors alike. It began life in 1816 as a simple boarding house for summer visitors to one of America's earliest seaside resorts. Its owner, Thomas H. Hughes, called his new boarding house “The Big House.” The local people had other ideas, though. Convinced the building was far too large to ever be a success they nicknamed it “Tommy’s Folly.”

In this first incarnation it was a quite different affair. Downstairs was a single room that served as the dining room for all the guests, who stayed in simply partitioned quarters on the two upper floors. The walls and woodwork were bare and supplies of provisions were at times unreliable.

Guests were undeterred by the Spartan conditions and summer after summer the new hotel was packed to bursting. In 1828 Hughes had been elected to Congress and in honor of his new status his hotel was renamed Congress Hall.

As Congress Hall’s reputation grew, so did Cape May's. By the middle of the 19th Century Cape May had become a booming holiday destination, rivaling Saratoga and Newport for popularity. Congress Hall had doubled in size and was welcoming guests from around the region, but in 1878 the building was destroyed when a huge fire swept through 38 acres of Cape May’s seafront.

Within a year, the owners rebuilt the hotel, this time in brick rather than wood, and business blossomed once again. The hotel and Cape May proved so popular that they gained renown as a summer retreat for the nation's presidents. Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin Pierce, and James Buchanan all chose to vacation here. President Benjamin Harrison made Congress Hall his "summer White House" and conducted the affairs of state from the hotel. Read more...

The famous 19th Century composer John Philip Sousa also loved Congress Hall. After conducting concerts on Congress Hall's lawn with his Marine Corps band throughout the season in 1882 he composed a march in honor of the hotel, the "Congress Hall March."

The hotel fell into disrepair and remained closed for more than a dozen years, sometime between 1905 and the early 20s, after a long and bitter dispute between owner Annie Knight and the city council. Finally, an agreement to repave the roads around Congress Hall was reached and the hotel reopened in the early 20s, with a stunning renovation. Congress Hall went on to open Cape May's first post-Prohibition cocktail bar (where the Brown Room sits now) in 1934.

From 1968 until 1995 Congress Hall operated as part of the Cape May Bible Conference led by the Reverend Carl McIntire of Collingswood, New Jersey. By providing an alternate use for the building Dr. McIntire in effect helped preserve it during a time when many of Cape May's landmarks were being demolished to make way for modern motels. The present owners purchased the building in 1995 with the goal of undertaking a complete renovation to return Congress Hall to its former glory.

The hotel underwent an extensive renovation in 2001, during which a stash of original china, creamers and sugar bowls were unearthed. Both the Buffalo Pottery Company and D.W. Haber and Sons, which produced the items, are still in business and were able to reproduce them for the hotel’s 2002 re-opening.

To learn more about the History of Congress Hall, pick up a copy of "Tommy's Folly," the story of Congress Hall through our online store.

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

Wishing for Winter Wonderland

Wishing for Winter Wonderland

Escape to the North Pole this Holiday Season as Congress Hall's Grand Lawn is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland. Explore unique gifts from various merchants in our enchanted shopping village. Sip on a cozy cup of hot cocoa and enjoy special seasonal treats as you mosey on over to Santa's Workshop. All aboard the Congress Hall Express! You won't want to miss the train ride as it travels around Cape May's North Pole.

Every weekend is a new adventure. As temperatures cool in Cape May, experience the warmth of the Holiday Season at Congress Hall's Winter Wonderland!

November 24th through December 28th*

Thursday - Sunday

Congress Hall, along with Cape May Stage, is excited to showcase David Sedaris's holiday comedy right here at the Big House by the Sea! You won't want to miss this hilarious performance.

Penned as a semi-autobiographical telling of Sedaris's own experiences, The Santaland Diaries tells the story of a struggling young writer who takes a job as a Christmas elf at Macy's in New York City. The play offers a sardonic, witty, irreverent account of elf training, bad Santas, abusive customers, and humiliating conditions. Go deep into the heart of Christmas as it exists in our consumerized world and get your holiday in high gear with this hilarious one-man show.

Starring Donald Toal Jr.Directed by Marlena Lustik

The play runs for approximately 90 minutes and is intended for an audience of mature elves only.

Join us for Lunch or Dinner and a Show on select dates at the Blue Pig Tavern. Enjoy a three-course meal along with your show ticket for only $39 for lunch and $59 for dinner. Lunch and a Show begins at 3:00 pm and Dinner and a Show begins at 7:30 pm.

Show times are available from November 24th until December 28th*, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm.

To view the menu for Lunch and a Show, click here.To view the menu for Dinner and a Show, click here.

Call our Concierge at (609) 884-6542 to book your reservation today!

*No shows will be held on November 30th, December 1st, December 24th, or December 25th.

November 24th - December 23rd

Saturdays & Sundays*

Santa is coming to Congress Hall's Grand Ball Room! Enjoy a delicious breakfast and visit with Jolly Old St. Nick. The breakfast buffet includes scrambled eggs with fresh herbs, bacon, fruit, an omelet station, pancake display, sweet treats, and much more. Kids will get the chance to tell Father Christmas all of their Christmas wishes, while parents snap a picture for the mantle.

Breakfast with Santa is from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm on the following dates:

Saturday, November 24Saturday, December 1Sunday, December 2Saturday, December 8Sunday, December 9Saturday, December 15Sunday, December 16Saturday, December 22Sunday, December 23

December 1st - 23rd

Saturdays & Sundays*

Turn ordinary gingerbread houses into culinary works of art. Make your very own sweet creations with the help of Mrs. Claus! Kids will get a gingerbread house with plenty of icing and candy like gum drops, peppermint, jelly rings and more to decorate a personalized Christmas cottage.

Reservations are $25.00 per house

Saturdays in the Harrison Room at Congress Hall*Sundays in Founder's Hall at Congress Hall

Seating times are available each hour beginning 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Satuday, December 22nd

9:00 am (kids) & 1:00 pm (adults)

Congress Hall is excited to host its First Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest! We'll supply the house and candy. Come prepared with your own decorating ideas and any extra decorating materials you want to add. Special guest judges will decide who will go home with the top prize.

The Grand Prize is a 2019 Winter Wonderland Getaway! Enjoy deluxe accommodations and a one-night stay at Congress Hall plus dinner for four in The Blue Pig Tavern.*

The Runner Up will recieve a $75 gift card and holiday swag bag.The Third Place Winner will receive a $50 gift card and holiday swag bag.

The prizes are the same for both the Kid's Contest and the Adult's Contest

January 27, February 17, March 24 & April 7

Select Sundays

Don’t let old man winter keep you on the couch. Come to Congress Hall for nights full of music and fun. The Winter Concert Series features a Sunday Supper and Hymn Sing, Musical Theater Sing Along, Doo Wop Night with Dane Anthony and the Sons of Thunder, and TROIKA. Enjoy a prix fixe dinner at the Blue Pig Tavern and head to the Ballroom for a night of entertainment with friends.

January 27- Sunday Supper and Hymn Sing - 5:30pm - A night of classic American Hymns and comfort food. A collection plate will also be passed for the Cape May Food Closet. Admission includes a family-style dinner and concert.

March 24 – TROIKA - 7:30pm - National country music scene newcomers and winners of the NextNash 2018 finals in Nashville, TROIKA, will take over Congress Hall’s Grand Ball Room for a night of country, pop and EDM.

April 7- Doo Wop With Dane Anthony and the Sons of Thunder - 7:30pm - A night of classic hits from yester-year including Roll over Beethoven, Great Balls of Fire, and Personality.

After purchasing your tickets for either February 17, March 24 or April 7, call the concierge desk to make your dinner reservation at The Blue Pig Tavern: (609) 884-6542

Sunday Supper and Old-Timey Hymn Sing

Winter Concert Series

January 27 at 5:30pm

January 27 - Sunday Supper and Hymn Sing - Please join us for a gathering of our Cape May community. Come and celebrate the rich American tradition of

January 27 - Sunday Supper and Hymn Sing - Please join us for a gathering of our Cape May community. Come and celebrate the rich American tradition of sharing faith through singing hymns together - hymns that directly tie us to our forefathers and to the very beginnings of America as a country. The menu will include fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and more, shared family-style. A collection plate will also be passed for the Cape May Food Closet.

Guests are invited to sing along with our musicians. Singing follows immediately after supper.

Adults $15.99, Kids $9.99 and includes dinner and concert.

For more information please call 609-884-6542.

TROIKA

Winter Concert Series

March 24 at 7:30 pm

March 24 - TROIKA - Join us in the Ballroom for a night of modern country music. National country music scene newcomers and winners of the NextNash 2018

March 24 - TROIKA - Join us in the Ballroom for a night of modern country music. National country music scene newcomers and winners of the NextNash 2018 finals in Nashville, TROIKA, will take over Congress Hall’s Grand Ball Room playing a mix of country, pop and EDM.

Dinner and a Show - Adult: $36.99Dinner and a Show - Kid: $9.99

Tickets to the concert only $15.99

After purchasing your tickets, call the concierge desk to make your dinner reservation at The Blue Pig Tavern: (609) 884-6542

Doo Wop with Dane Anthony

Winter Concert Series

April 7 at 7:30 pm

April 7 - Doo Wop With Dane Anthony and the Sons of Thunder: One of the most popular bandleaders in the Boiler Room brings his group, The Sons of Thunder

April 7 - Doo Wop With Dane Anthony and the Sons of Thunder: One of the most popular bandleaders in the Boiler Room brings his group, The Sons of Thunder to perform unforgettable songs from a beloved era gone by. Featuring music from the 50s and beyond, Dane Anthony's show brings you tunes such as "Great Balls of Fire," "Personality," "Roll over Beethoven" and a tribute to the Platters. Known for his great energy and charisma onstage, Dane Anthony and his band will fill Congress Hall's Grand Ballroom with music and memories you won't want to miss.

Dinner and a Show - Adult: $36.99Dinner and a Show - Kid: $9.99

Tickets to the concert only $15.99

After purchasing your tickets, call the concierge desk to make your dinner reservation at The Blue Pig Tavern: (609) 884-6542

Group/Corporate Inquiries:

Jill Heim (609) 846-4988

Wedding & Special Event Inquiries:

(609) 884-6549

Press/Media Inquiries:

Lisa Johnson (609) 788-8548

reach us by phone:

(888) 944-1816 or (609) 884-8421

Directions

Congress Hall

200 Congress Place

Cape May, New Jersey 08204

(609) 884-8421

It's easy to find us

Cape May is easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The hotel is located in the heart of the Historic District, right across the street from the beach and the Washington Street Mall.

Valet Parking is provided. Please pull up in front of the hotel and an attendant will assist you with your luggage and car.

from google maps:

from specific points

Take the Parkway to the end, Exit "0", to 109 South, Follow Route 109 over a large then a small bridge. This becomes Lafayette Street. Follow Lafayette Street through two traffic lights to the end. Lafayette will end at Jackson Street where there is a green liquor store called "Colliers". Turn left onto Jackson Street and immediately turn right onto Mansion Street. Continue to stop sign and turn left onto Perry Street. Make first right onto Congress Place and turn left into hotel reception area.

From the Ferry Terminal in North Cape May, follow the signs for Route 109 South and the Garden State Parkway. Take Route 109 South over the Cape May bridge onto Lafayette Street. Follow Lafayette Street approximately 1.5 miles until you dead end at Jackson Street. Turn left onto Jackson Street and immediately turn right onto Mansion Street. Continue to stop sign and turn left onto Perry Street. Make first right onto Congress Place and turn left into hotel reception area.

Exit Manhattan to New Jersey Turnpike. Take the N.J. Turnpike South to Exit 11 for the Garden State Parkway. Take the G.S. Parkway to end, Exit "0", to 109 South, Follow Route 109 over the Cape May bridge onto Lafayette Street. Follow Lafayette Street approximately 1.5 miles until you dead end at Jackson Street. Turn left onto Jackson Street and immediately turn right onto Mansion Street. Continue to stop sign and turn left onto Perry Street. Make first right onto Congress Place and turn left into hotel reception area.

95 North to Delaware Memorial Bridge, take bridge to Route 40 East. Follow Route 40 to Route 55 South to end (at Route 47 South). Route 47 South to Garden State Parkway South. G.S. Parkway to end, Exit "0", to 109 South, Follow Route 109 over the Cape May bridge onto Lafayette Street. Follow Lafayette Street approximately 1.5 miles until you dead end at Jackson Street. Turn left onto Jackson Street and immediately turn right onto Mansion Street. Continue to stop sign and turn left onto Perry Street. Make first right onto Congress Place and turn left into hotel reception area.

Walt Whitman Bridge to 42 South, to Atlantic City Expressway East. Take the A.C. Expressway to the Garden State Parkway south. G.S. Parkway to end, Exit "0", to 109 South, Follow Route 109 over the Cape May bridge onto Lafayette Street. Follow Lafayette Street approximately 1.5 miles until you dead end at Jackson Street. Turn left onto Jackson Street and immediately turn right onto Mansion Street. Continue to stop sign and turn left onto Perry Street. Make first right onto Congress Place and turn left into hotel reception area.

Guaranteed Lowest Rate! Our Best Rates Guarantee assures you receive the best rates when you book directly with Cape Resorts. At the time of booking if you find a lower publicly available rate anywhere else, we will match that rate plus give you an additional US $10 back. Please call us at (888) 944-1816 or book through the Cape Resorts online reservation center.